Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Zelenskyy claims gains in ...

ProfileSectionstvFeaturedMore From NBCFollow NBC NewsThe House passed legislation Tuesday night that would provide $40 billion in new military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, as the United States looks to step up its support for Kyiv in its defensive fight against Russia.Ukraine claimed new battlefield gains in that fight, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying his country's forces had pushed invading troops out of four villages near Kharkiv in the northeast and back toward the Russian border.Meanwhile, Kyiv said that it would halt the flow of Russian gas to Europe through a key transit hub in the country's east, citing interference from Moscow-backed troops for the move. So whatever happens in Ukraine, let’s consider that Russia is a lesser country now than it was before this invasion.”Wallace, who was due to meet U.S. counterpart Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday, said that Russian “armed forces are worn out” and that Moscow will face difficulties shoring up its army, especially as sanctions hinder Russia’s ability to import Western technology needed for much of its military equipment.Read full story here.Associated PressThe German army says it has begun training Ukrainian soldiers to use a powerful artillery system that Germany and the Netherlands plan to supply to Ukraine.The Defense Ministry said 18 crews are being trained to use the Panzerhaubitze 2000, an advanced, self-propelled howitzer.“This is a clear sign of our solidarity,” the ministry said. If Finland does join NATO and Russia asked why, Niinisto said his response would be “you caused this, look at the mirror.” Associated PressCzech President Milos Zeman has approved a request of 103 Czechs to join Ukraine’s armed forces to help them fight Russian aggression.Czech citizens are banned from service in foreign armies which is a crime punishable by a prison term of up to five years.Those 103 belong to a total of some 400 Czechs who have applied for an exemption from the ban, according to the Defense Ministry. Rachel Elbaum and Mariia UlianovskaRussian forces have destroyed 101 hospitals and shot or captured 200 ambulances since the invasion began Feb. 24, Ukraine’s ministry of health said in a post on Facebook on Wednesday.The claims came as the head of the Luhansk region said Tuesday that Russian forces took equipment from local hospitals and schools in the town of Kreminna, located in the east between Kharkiv and Luhansk, and sent it to Russia. The Kharkiv region, including the major city itself, came under heavy attack early in the war with many of its buildings destroyed by Russian strikes.Phil HelselUkraine’s military has successfully attacked Russian resupply vessels with drones, the United Kingdom’s defense ministry said Wednesday.Ukraine launched successful attacks against air defenses and resupply vessels with Bayraktar drones, the defense ministry said in a daily intelligence update.“Russia’s resupply vessels have minimum protection in the western Black Sea, following the Russian Navy’s retreat to Crimea after the loss of the Moskva,” the ministry said in a statement.Meanwhile, fighting continues on Zmiinyi Island, also known as Snake Island, the U.K. said.